Ethelbert

Today is an important day in the history of Canterbury. We are celebrating 1493 years of the death of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - kings that ever lived in this land.
Son of King Eormenric, he married Bertha the daughter of one of the King of Franks.
He was also responsible for bringing St Augustine to England therefore responsible for the introduction of Christianity in Kent.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of him and have it ready for today to show you so I am off to Canterbury to see if I can find something that will do justice to his greatness.

13:43 Done!

King Ethelbert and his wife Bertha

Another great photo... so it is obviously not my doing!
My daughter Clare took this one. She is a fantastic photographer and kindly allowed me to use this picture. For more of her work visit www.piskieface.deviantart.com

You can find these sculptures in Lady Wootton's Garden, in Canterbury. The taller bronze is King Ethelbert, the King of Kent at around 580 or 590. He married the daughter of the King of Franks, Bertha - the samller bronze - forming a very powerful political alliance that eventually led to the arrival of St Augustine and introduction of Christianity in England.

These sculptures were commissioned by Canterbury Commemoration Society and the bronzes were created by Stephen Melton working with Meltdowns. They were unveiled by HRH Prince Michael of Kent and the French Consul General in May 2006.